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Saturday, February 1, 2014

Sepia Saturday - Well Traveled Suitcase

This week Sepia Saturday shows a picture of an open suitcase. This was an easy prompt for me because it reminded me of a suitcase in the closet of my sewing room.

This suitcase belonged to my Nana, Helen Coyle Gardner. I'm sure she took it on trips. She and her husband, Nathaniel Gardner, lived in New York City and liked to go Atlantic City, NJ. on occasional weekends. They both worked hard at the Western Union and liked to get away and have time for just each other.

Nathaniel Gardner in Atlantic City, NJ

When their daughter, Alberta Joy Gardner Brown, was a toddler Helen, her sisters and her daughter took a cruise to Bermuda. This suitcase could have held my mother's little dresses, sewn by her mother, and her black patent leather shoes.

Alberta Joy Gardner in NY City

Many years later Nana would come and stay with us. She only lived a few minutes away but pack her suitcase and spend time with her four grandchildren so our parents could get away occasionally.

At some point my Nana decided to keep her fabrics in the old suitcase. It ended up in my parents' attic and then in my sewing room. The vintage fabrics inside are in perfect condition. I use them for small quilted wall hangings that I give to my children, nieces & nephews so they can all have a piece of the past.

The perfect receptacle for vintage cloths and what nice idea to pass them down in such a creative way.

Colleen, you may not be aware that you have WV switched on. Have you thought of removing it? The majority on here don't use it, with no ill effects as long as you don't allow anonymous comments. Comment moderation seems to suffice and it makes it easier for fellow bloggers to comment - hope this helps.

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Genealogy, research & my family's history are the focus of this blog. Read about my latest adventures in uncovering more about our ancestors. Contact me with questions or additions to this information. Colleencgbp [at] nycap.rr.comBecome a Follower!

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